Leveraging Distributed Data for Better Healthcare Outcomes with Leigh McCormack of Platypus

(Note: We apologize for the audio quality in this episode. The discussion was so insightful and valuable that we felt it was important to share it with you. Thank you for your understanding and enjoy the episode.)

In this episode, Bruce is joined by the Co-Founder of Platypus, Leigh McCormack, PhD, a distinguished data scientist and entrepreneur, to explore the intersection of data science and healthcare. Leigh shares her extensive experience in population health and AI, emphasizing the importance of equity in healthcare solutions. The discussion delves into the complexities of using AI in healthcare, addressing biases and the need for continuous updates to AI models. Leigh introduces Platypus Health, her company focused on identifying and mitigating bias in healthcare AI, and highlights the benefits of federated learning and ensemble modeling. 

Key Topics Discussed:

- Focus on Health Equity: The importance of diverse data in AI in improving healthcare outcomes.

- Addressing AI Bias: The inevitability of bias in AI and strategies to mitigate and address it.

- Importance of Context: The need for data scientists to understand healthcare context and collaborate with clinicians.

- Data Aggregation Challenges: Potential harm to marginalized populations due to data aggregation.

- Platypus Health: Introduction to the company’s mission to identify and mitigate bias in healthcare AI.

- Federated Learning and Ensemble Modeling: The benefits of these methods in enhancing AI effectiveness.

- Continuous Model Updating: The necessity of regularly updating AI models with new data to reflect current realities.

- Collaboration: The significance of collaboration between clinicians and data scientists for better AI models.

- Ensemble Modeling: Explanation and benefits of leveraging diverse data for improved AI predictions.

Resources Mentioned:

Leigh McCormack -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-mccormack/

Platypus | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/platypushealth/

Platypus Health | Website -

https://www.platypus.health/

“Weapons of Math Destruction” by Cathy O'Neil -

https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Math-Destruction-Increases-Inequality/dp/0553418815

White paper: The ASA Statement on p-Values: Context, Process, and Purpose -

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00031305.2016.1154108#d1e167

Many analysts, one dataset: Making transparent how variations in analytical choices affect results -

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320041452_Many_analysts_one_dataset_Making_transparent_how_variations_in_analytical_choices_affect_results

SmartSurgery Blog Link -

https://smartsurgerylp.caresyntax.com/blog-subscription

Comments and questions -

podcast@caresyntax.com

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